Although the broadcasts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup look exciting and inspire admiration among fans, troubling events are unfolding behind the scenes. This tournament bears a resemblance to the legacy of the film 'Apocalypse Now,' which itself was a work combining brilliance and dark aspects.
The famous war film 'Apocalypse Now' was both an adaptation of Joseph Conrad's novel 'Heart of Darkness' and a production filled with grim moments. Initially, filming was planned to take only four months, but the actual duration exceeded this period by more than double. During filming in the Philippines, a typhoon damaged the production, and lead actor Martin Sheen suffered a heart attack at the age of 38. Furthermore, his colleagues Marlon Brando and Dennis Hopper famously refused to work together.
Marlon Brando also arrived on set overweight, which significantly differed from the image of a US Army officer he was supposed to play. The film crew faced hook infections, various tropical ailments, and exhaustion; actor Sam Bottoms later reported that a parasite contracted on the set 'destroyed his liver.' The team also had to deal with local crime and tense political disputes.
The initial budget for the film was $12 million (R196 million), but it significantly increased to over $31 million (R508 million). Accounting for inflation, this amount now exceeds $135 million (R2.21 billion), placing it among the most expensive productions of its time. After four years of arduous work, 'Apocalypse Now' was released in 1979 and received mixed reactions from the public. Nevertheless, over time, it established itself as one of the iconic war films and greatest cinematic works, despite the extreme nature of its creation.
In many ways, the story of 'Apocalypse Now' reflects the current World Cup, which will be held in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. The presentation on screen turned out to be magnificent, even thrilling, and viewers watch with complete awe. The stadiums are architectural masterpieces, and the atmosphere on site is perfectly conveyed during the broadcast. Some matches showcased brilliant football, offering captivating storylines and dramatic moments of high tension.
However, the forces at play behind this spectacle remain deeply troubling. With President Donald Trump, the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz continues, and the US continues to employ hardline foreign policies instead of stimulating measures. There have also been alarming signs of political interference during the World Cup. Many fans from the Global South have faced obstacles due to costly visa requirements and exorbitant travel expenses, while immigration control threatened some teams and excluded entire groups of fans from participation.
Concurrently, serious allegations persist regarding the integrity and double standards of FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino. Furthermore, the VAR system has once again sparked controversy and overshadowed the football itself in several matches. The next World Cup will span continents—Europe, Africa, and South America in Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, raising serious questions about the environmental impact of such an event. As FIFA increasingly focuses on commercial expansion, the tournament may even increase from 48 to 64 teams.
On Sunday, when Spain or Argentina lifts the World Cup, Trump will be allowed to celebrate on stage with the winning team. This occurs after a highly commercialized 30-minute halftime show, which directly contradicts FIFA's own rules. Ultimately, we face two opposing truths: this World Cup has become a marvel of athletic skill and spectacle, but, just as one cannot watch 'Apocalypse Now' without hearing the ghostly echo of the madness and suffering that accompanied its creation, this tournament cannot be viewed in a vacuum. When the final whistle blows and the confetti settles, the wonder of the American stadiums will fade from memory. What remains is the unsettling realization that this extraordinary sporting spectacle was built on political hostility, systemic exclusion, and corporate greed. Like the masterpiece 'Apocalypse Now,' this tournament cannot be separated from the darkness that spawned it.
The 2026 Football World Cup has entered its 16th round, and several teams have already secured their place in the quarterfinals. However, the fantastic 32-match round cannot be overlooked, especially after giants like Germany and the Netherlands were eliminated from the tournament in incredible penalty shootouts.
This stage marked the beginning of the decisive phase of the 2026 World Cup and lived up to expectations. It brought record performances, dramatic penalty shootout defeats, the elimination of strong teams, and the intensity only football playoffs possess.
Several key moments were noted in the review of the 32-match round. Lionel Messi continued to set records, scoring a goal in Argentina's triumphant 3-2 victory over Cape Verde. This goal helped him increase his advantage as all-time top scorer in the World Cup, confirming that he remains the central figure of the defending champions.
The match between Portugal and Croatia ended 2-1 after extra time. The clash between Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić lived up to expectations. Although Croatia seemed to score a dramatic late goal, this goal was confirmed after a lengthy VAR check, leading to the extension of the match. In the end, Portugal won, but the game will be remembered for its relentless drama and perhaps Modrić's last appearance in the World Cup.
Morocco strengthened its position in the final eight. After defeating the Netherlands in a penalty shootout, the 'Atlas Lions' sensationally beat the hosts Canada 3-0, guaranteeing themselves a quarterfinal against France. This highlighted that their performance in the 2022 semi-finals was not an isolated incident. Cape Verde should also be mentioned, which presented one of the most inspiring stories of the tournament, coming close to becoming one of the greatest World Cup surprises.
The biggest shock was the elimination of Germany by the disciplined team of Paraguay, who maintained composure in the penalty shootout. This was the biggest sensational result of the 32-match round and a reminder that reputation means little in football playoffs.
Spanish teenager Lamine Yamal continued to demonstrate himself as one of the brightest talents in world football. He played an influential match despite not scoring, as Spain advanced to the 16th round by beating Austria 3-0.
Furthermore, Messi reached a historic milestone, increasing his World Cup tally to 20 tournament goals, scoring in the eighth consecutive match of the tournament. The Argentine maestro added another chapter to one of the greatest careers in football.
Technology once again came into focus during Portugal's victory over Croatia. A lengthy offside review allowed Croatia's dramatic late goal to be counted before Portugal eventually advanced into extra time, reigniting the debate about the role of VAR in crucial moments of football.
Regarding setbacks, Germany, despite having one of the most balanced squads of the tournament, became the most noticeable victim of the first playoff round, failing to realize its potential. As a result of the shocking exit, Julian Nagelsmann left. However, the Dutch side could also have received the undesirable reward, as they failed to meet expectations once again.
